The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-07
DISPLEASED BY THE PRESS
Commissioner Bamberger Contradicts
Statements Regarding the Schools.
A Resolution introduced Requiring that the
Law Shall Be Strictly Complied With in
Petitioning for the Teaching of German.

was barely a quorum present, but Mr.. Bam-
berger gave the proceedings at the outset
warm interest by arising to question of privi-
lege. He referred to the criticism that had been
passed upon the board for its action regarding
the teaching of German in the schools. and his
first cause of comment lay in editorial of the
News of April Is. He read the article and
then said that he believed in the utility of the
press and its power for good. His objection was
not to that papers opposition to the teaching
of German at the expense of taxpayers.
but the term 6emagogue, applied to members of
the board who did not agree with the News He
had always worked for the best interests of the
schools. and, in taking his oath of Office had
sworn 10 support the laws and Constitution of
the State and the United States It was strange
anomaly for a paper that was always calling for
an enforcement of the laws to be frequently vio-
lating them. He had always been, and would al
ways be. opposed to any cutting down of the stud
les in the schools The press may argue differently
but it does not express public opinion. It as
sumes to be the leader, and is more often dema-
gogic in its expressions than any member of the
board Mr. Bamberger also complained of an
editorial in the Journal of April 81, which. he
said. claimed that hundreds and thousands of
school children were denied their constitutional
righs to a common school education on account
and to support his position he had received
letter from Superintendent Jones in regard to
this matter in reply to one OF inquiry from him.
At Mr.. BAN berger s request the clerk read the
correspondence. The letter Mr.. Bamberger
wrote to the superintendent was as follows:
write to you in view of the often repeated asser-
tons of the journal to the effect that hundreds and
thousands of children of school deprived of
their constitutional right to receive school
& TO the taen .nas the & s e
for branches of education meaning thereby
German in the grammar schools For the purpose of
getting at the exact truth of these charges if such be
assertions if there is foundation for them would
most respectfully request you to prepare statement
showing the number of children denied admission to
the public schools for want OF room said statement to
the period from assumption of the Office of
superintendent up to the present time.
The superintendent replied:
No pupils who have applied for admission to our
schools have been debarred permanently from attend
ance for want of Many buildings have been
have been denied admission. except temporarily until
proper adjustment of classes could be made for their
such written notice has been sent to the
guardians of the children thus seeking admission
and all have been Accommodated with seats. In
instances pupils of the upper grades have been
PEELED to walk to greater distance than is desirable,
but believe that unreasonable distance has been
required Thus it will be seen that while ampler ac
commodations should be provided when the boards
finances shall warrant expenditures in this direction,
such condition of affairs exists that indicated in
the statements to which you call my attention.
Mr.. Bamberger said he was content to let this
correspondence speak for itself.
Mr.. Greenstreet presented a preamble and
resolution that one wanted to attack at that
time. Previously it had been arranged to have
a special meeting next Friday to consider another
matter. and to that meeting the Greenstreet pa
per was referred. It reads:
Whereas, Section LAT of the Indiana school law
declares that Whenever the parents guardians of
demand it shall be the duty of the school trustees
of the city to efficient teachers and introduce
school provided such demand is made before the
teacher of said school is Employed" and
Whereas, This board under this law, is required to
employ teachers and have the German language
taught when the demand by petition is made before
Whereas. The contracts with teachers for the year
beginning July L 1887 ending June 30, 1888 will
be it
Resolved, That the German language be taught in
school of this city during the school year ending
June 80, 1885 when tho petition for the has
not been signed by the required number of
before the 1st day of June next
Mr.. Greenstreet also offered resolution in
the same connection. which he asked to have
ferred the committee on judiciary with in
structions to report at the next regular meeting
The resolution refers to the school law, which
says: "The common schools of the State shall
be taught in the English language and the trus
tees shall provide to have taught in them orthog-
raphy reading, writing, arithmetic geography,
English grammar. physiology, history of the
United States. etc. 1t directs the judiciary
United States history taught in German in
any public school of the city. and report to the
board. 1t was agreed to have the resolution
ferred to theAcommittee, but with instruction
to report at the special meeting Friday night.
There will also come up at that meeting the
report OF the building committee, submitted last
night recommending the addition of four rooms
each to school buildings Nos. IL and 20 The
committee on finance and auditing asked per
mission to advertise for subscriptions, to
gotiate. they think best, time warrants for
$50. 600. to be dated July l. 1887. and made pay
able June 80, 1885, the warrants to be issued in
of $780, $500 and 81 ,000 bearing per
cent interest. payable semi annually in Indian
apols or New York. This request will be con-
sidered next Friday evening
This years enumeration of children of school
age in the city was reported at44 $780, an increase
of 3,0l3 over last year The list of saloons also
showed that there 35I in the city 1t was
reported that the library circulation this year
was %, 1873, compared with 80 23S last year.
DIED.
CLARK-At Las Vegas n. NJ, May 2, Elmer III.
Clark aged twenty seven years. Funeral from resi-
dence of ID. r. Clark, 1876 California street Sunday
at $50 p.